Manny Pacquiao and The 25 Best Things About Boxing

Manny Pacquiao's fight with Shane Mosley may not create lots of excitement, but boxing will survive.

Yes, the sport has its share of issues, and the last time an American heavyweight dominated the sport was when MTV still played music videos. But it's still got the most colorful athletes, the same incredible past and when you get a truly action-packed fight, there's nothing better than boxing.

Maybe by the end of 2011 fans will finally be treated to the megafight between Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. It certainly would inject some life into the sport.

Until then, let's sit back and celebrate. Here are 25 things that still make boxing spectacular:

25. Zab Gets Blasted

It's definitely not a career highpoint for Zab Judah but it is pretty funny to watch. What was even funnier was that Judah argued with the ref about why he stopped the fight.

Right, right. He could have come back and pulled off the upset.

24. Take Your Pick

Some of the best sports movies involve boxing. If you haven't seen any of them, start with these three: "Raging Bull," "Ali" and "Cinderella Man." 

You can't go wrong with any of them.

23. 24/7

HBO hit a grand slam with their documentary series they produce for megafights.

Some fighters like Floyd Mayweather Jr. are tailor-made for these productions, and the show's theme song is even incredible.

22. "When We Were Kings"

The 1996 documentary about the "Rumble in the Jungle" won an Oscar.

It's a brilliant look at the fight between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman, and besides all the behind-the-scenes footage, the commentary from Norman Mailer and George Plimpton makes it even more enjoyable.

21. Miguel Cotto

The Puerto Rican fighter has steadily risen through the ranks to become a tremendous world champion.

He suffered his first loss to Antonio Margarito, but his hard-hitting style and aggressive nature is very similar to that of legendary champ Marvelous Marvin Hagler.

20. Great Debates

There are very few other sports that will produce more passionate debates than in boxing.

Just ask who the 50 greatest boxers of all-time are, and you will get a reaction.

19. YouTube

Before, the only way to be able to see vintage fights was on ESPN Classic. But now you can jump on the Internet, do a quick search and see clips, or entire fights of some boxing legends.

18. The Mayweather Family

It's sad, twisted and disturbing, but also something you can't turn away from. Floyd Mayweather Sr. originally trained his son, but then the two became estranged.

Floyd Sr. also had a strained relationship with his brother Roger, who became Floyd Jr's trainer.

Luckily, the three have reconciled for now, but all three are brash, cocky and opinionated, whether it's about boxing or each other.

17. The Feuds

As long as boxing's around, there will be heated feuds—ones where genuine hatred and animosity exist.

Muhammad Ali had Joe Frazier, Erik Morales had Marco Antonio Barrera. Mexico vs. Puerto Rico has produced some emotional fights, including the controversial fight between Felix Trinidad and Oscar De La Hoya, as well as the recent blockbuster between Miguel Cotto and Antonio Margarito.  

16. Howard Bingham's Photos

David Lutman/Getty Images

LOUISVILLE, KY - NOVEMBER 19: Muhammad Ali's close friend and personal photographer Howard Bingham arrives at the Grand Opening Gala of the Muhammad Ali Center, on the red carpet of the Kentucky Center for the Arts (next door to the Ali Center) November

Bingham is a longtime friend of Muhammad Ali and took some incredible photos throughout Ali's legendary career.

From the fights to outside the ring, they're something every fan should view.

15. Mike Tyson Documentaries

Whether you like Tyson or not, there are two riveting documentaries out there about the former world champion.

Fox Sports' "Beyond The Glory" examined Tyson in a two-hour documentary, and then Tyson was just featured in the recent movie called "Tyson."

14. The Boxing Bucket List

It's a to-do list for every fight fan: Catch a title fight in Vegas, see a fight at the historic Madison Square Garden, go enjoy the passionate fans and fights near the Mexican border, and check out the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, NY.

13. Don King

He is controversial, but he also is hilarious with his made-up words, random references to all areas of culture and lines like this: "I'm a promoter of the people for the people and by the people and my magic lies in my people ties. I'm a promoter of America. I'm American people. You know what I mean? So therefore, uh, do not send for who the bell tolls 'cause the bell tolls for thee."

12. Violent Knockouts

It's what keeps fans coming back. Sometimes the knockouts come against the ropes, sometimes they're sudden and violent.

And there's no question the fight is over.

11. Bert Sugar

How can you not love the fedora and the cigar? He is a walking, talking sports encyclopedia, and tells some of the greatest stories about boxing.

If you don't like Bert, something's wrong.

10. Hagler-Hearns

If you're a teenager, or have kids, this is a must-see.

Known as "The Most Violent Nine Minutes in Boxing," it is still revered by fight fans of all ages and considered one of the greatest fights ever.

9. Incredible Writing

Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images

MILAN, ITALY - JULY 09: Mike Tyson attends a press conference held at Just Cvalle Cafe on July 9, 2010 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images)

If you love great sportswriting, some of the greatest sports stories ever have come from boxing.

If you want to go back over 10 years, check out some of Richard Hoffer, Gary Smith and Ralph Wiley's stories in the Sports Illustrated vault. The stuff especially about Mike Tyson was incredible.

8. Theatre Of The Absurd

You never know what you'll get with post-fight interviews, especially back when Tyson was still fighting.

Then you had other gruesome sights, like Evander Holyfield's ear, Antonio Margarito's face, Vitali Klitschko's eyebrow and Hasim Rahman's head.

7. Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Yes, he is offensive and his arrogance rubs many people the wrong way, but he is arguably the greatest fighter of this generation. 

6. Manny Pacquiao

He's taken on the very best, steamrolled them and is now boxing's pound-for-pound best fighter.

All that's missing from his hall of fame career is a showdown with Floyd Mayweather Jr.

5. Mexican Fighters

Forget about the heavyweights. If you want action and solid fighting, head down to the lower weight classes and enjoy some of the talented Mexican fighters, who will endure anything in their fights. 

4. Fighter/Trainer Relationships

Athletes rely heavily on their coaches in every sport, but there's not a more intimate way of seeing this interaction than in boxing.

Trainers can't earn a living if their fighters don't succeed, and they often see things fighters can't spot in the ring. Some fighter/trainer relationships dissolve. Others become legendary, such as the one between Freddie Roach and Manny Pacquiao.

3. Round 9 Of Gatti-Ward I

The best round from one of boxing's greatest trilogies ever. The two went old school in their rivalry, and gave boxing fans something that will be talked about for generations to come.

2. The 10th Round

Just watch. You'll understand.

Easily the most jaw-dropping, dramatic, incredible round of boxing in the sport's history.

1. It Will Rebound

Al Bello/Getty Images

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ - NOVEMBER 20: Sergio Martinez celebrates after knocking out Paul Williams in the second round of their Middleweight Championship fight on November 20, 2010 at The Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty I

Boxing won't die. It's had its ups and downs over time, but has always persevered and come back stronger, healthier and still entertaining.

It may be a while before a charismatic American heavyweight captures the public's attention, but you'll keep seeing plenty of knockouts, great fights and incredible rivalries.